When planning a surgery, you and your doctors should become partners in your health care. You should not place your health entirely into anyone else’s hands; you need to be proactive for your own sake. You want to know as much as possible so you can make informed decisions. Some questions you might want to ask the doctor are:
• What is your experience in treating my particular illness or condition?
• Have there been any adverse results? If so, what were they and under what circumstances did they occur?
• Do you recommend treatments and therapies that don’t rely heavily on medication?
• What are your feelings about ‘bloodless’ surgery and is that an option in my case?
• What are the decision-making procedures in this office/facility? What is the chain of command?
• Will you be comfortable with my involvement in the decision-making process?
• What are your ethical, religious and philosophical views?
• Are you familiar, comfortable and sensitive to my cultural background?
• Will you alone be performing the surgery? If not, who else will participate in the procedure and to what extent?
• Will I need plastic surgery after this procedure? If so, when should I expect to begin plastic surgery?
• What plastic surgeon would you recommend for my specific situation?
Any time you have a surgical procedure, especially major surgery, you want to know who exactly will be handling the scalpel.
A Personal Account
Some years ago, I had to have surgery and the circumstances were delicate. I went to several specialists, hoping to find one that would approach my surgery with great care. I eventually found a doctor at a renowned hospital in Baltimore. I traveled to Baltimore several times to ensure I was comfortable with the doctor and hospital. At each visit, the doctor and I discussed the delicacy of my situation and she assured me she would herself be doing the surgery. I never asked for a written treatment plan; what we discussed was never spelled out in writing. A week before the scheduled procedure, I made a final trip to see the doctor. I wanted to make sure I understood everything.
At that last visit, I was met by someone I had never seen before - a resident, who introduced herself as the surgeon for my operation. Confused, I asked for clarification. I then learned the original doctor (who was the chairman of the respective department) planned to allow the resident and several other medical students to participate in my operation under her supervision. In effect, I would have been a classroom study with four or five people holding scalpels, prepared to learn on me! Needless to say, I was mortified! I promptly canceled the surgery and found another doctor. Had I not gone to that last appointment, had I not been so thorough in my questions and understanding, I would not have known the surgeon’s plan until it was too late.
What I learned from that experience: Whatever you agree to with a doctor… Especially when it comes to surgery… Get it beforehand in writing!
Choosing a Hospital
The hospital you select for your surgery should have a good track record for your type of procedure and proven expertise. The more they perform similar procedures to yours, the better. Check the hospital’s website and look for ratings of the doctor and hospital online. The information you find can help you to determine the institution’s competence.
Also log onto: www.healthfinder.gov (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) for help and information including a medical dictionary and links to the National Institutes of Health.
Another way to check out hospitals would be to call a nearby medical school, speak with the chairman of the relative department and ask for a referral. You can also read printed guides on hospitals and online patient reviews. Some people feel the best referrals are those by word of mouth.
Once you’ve chosen a hospital, contact a physician who is on the hospital’s board of directors and ask for a consultation. You should also see (or have a family member or patient advocate talk to) the hospital administrator and a social worker. Ask if there’s a Patient’s Bill of Rights and if you can review it. If you are polite and appreciative, most hospital personnel will be very glad to help you. Once you’re admitted, be pleasant and communicate often with the nursing staff (if you are able). Since mistakes can be made, tell the head nurse you want to be informed beforehand of all medication and/or treatment being given to you. If you are able, review your bedside chart. If you are unable, ask for the patient advocate, or have a family member or friend review your chart for you. When nurses administer medicine, check to ensure medication and dosages are accurate.
Having surgery and being hospitalized is stressful and harrowing. In many cases, it can be a dangerous undertaking. For this reason, it is imperative to maintain control of your situation and find out all you can to ensure the best results from your doctor, surgeon, hospital and procedure.
From Doctor to Hospital
If you have an illness that will require surgery or a hospital stay, you have the right to shop for the best doctor and hospital. Approach your medical treatment from a business perspective and you will get very good results. The fact of the matter is, doctors work to earn a living; you in turn, are a customer. You are paying that doctor and/or hospital for a service and you have every right to be satisfied. Whether you’re covered under insurance or paying directly out of pocket, the doctor and hospital will ultimately be paid, thanks to you. You therefore have the right to negotiate your treatment and take your business elsewhere if you do not like what you see or hear.
For informational purposes only. No portion of this article is intended to replace the evaluation, care or advice of a health care professional. The author makes no claims or recommendations whatsoever as to any illness, treatment or cure. Read more...
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Tannis Blackman is a certified dance instructor and health enthusiast. She is the author of several books, including The Mystical Seductress Handbook and writes numerous articles for Alight Transmedia.
© 2022 Alight. © 2022 Tannis Blackman.
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